William Muir

“ The captive made as if fain to reply; then gasping, like one faint from thirst, begged for a draught of water. "Give it," said the Caliph, "and let him drink in peace." "Nay," said the captive, trembling, I fear to drink, lest someone slay me unawares." "Thy life is safe," said 'Omar, "until thou hast drunk the water up." The words were no sooner spoken than Al-Hormuzan poured the contents upon the ground. "I wanted not the water," he said, "but quarter, and now thou hast given it me." "Liar!" cried 'Omar angrily, "thy life is forfeit." ”

“ Al-Hormuzan, nothing loth, made profession 172
of the faith upon the spot; and thenceforth, taking up his residence at Medina, received a pension of high grade.
Deputation urge removal of ban against advance.
"What is the cause," inquired 'Omar of the deputation, "that these Persians persistently break faith and rebel against us? Maybe, ye treat them harshly." "Not so," they answered; "but thou hast forbidden us to enlarge our boundary; and the King is in their midst to stir them up. Two Kings can in no wise exist together, until the one expel the other. ”

“ A force of 12,000 men set out immediately; and forming, not without difficulty, a junction with Al-'Ala, beat back the Persians, and then retired on Al-Basra. The troops of 'Otba gained a great name in this affair, and the special thanks of 'Omar. This expedition of Al-'Ala is known as "the First Istakhar."
Campaign in Khuzistan 17 A.H., 638 A.D.
But the retreat, conducted with whatever skill bravery, put heart into the hostile border. Al-Hormuzan, a Persian satrap, had escaped from Al-Kadisiya to his own province of Al-Ahwaz, on the lower mountain range, at no great distance from Al-Basr. ”